Future is now for the Saints

Published: Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 11:30 p.m.

The main reason why teams don't win championships or compete well during the season are because of decisions made in the spring via free agency, trades and the NFL draft.

New Orleans Saints fans everywhere are thrilled about the return of Sean Payton as head coach, but just because he walks back into the building does not mean all ills have been cured.

This New Orleans Saints team is talented on offense and are playoff contenders as long as quarterback Drew Brees is healthy.

Every year in the NFL is a rebuilding year, but for the Saints, it is a critical time because of Brees' age and the fact that this team needs to have a philosophy in free agency on defense that the future is now.

The first order of business has to be to get left tackle Jermon Bushrod signed to a long term deal. Both parties want a deal done and if past history tells you anything the Saints will make their best offer late in the process.

We saw that last year in resigning wide receiver Marques Colston late in the process and also trying in vain to cut a deal with offensive guard Carl Nicks in the final hours, but he decided to give free agency a swing and he hit a grand slam home run deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

We all remember the drama involving Brees' contract ordeal last season, which was also completed late in the process.

I expect the Saints to do the same with Bushrod and it will just be a matter of getting those two sides to agree on some big money.

Money talks in the NFL and the Saints know that getting back to the playoffs means keeping Brees upright for 16 games and recharging a rushing attack that at times was almost silent.

Once they get the left tackle spot cleared, the Saints need to concentrate on upgrading every defensive position.

I like the decision to resign defensive end/outside linebacker Junior Galette to a three-year contract. I have always felt because of his athleticism, edge pass rush skills and instincts, Galette benefits more than anyone else on the Saints team to the 3-4 switch.

But the Saints are still in desperate need of a big time pass rusher at outside linebacker. They also have depth issues at defensive end behind Akiem Hicks and Cameron Jordan, at nose tackle behind Brodrick Bunkley, and they need more playmakers at cornerback and safety.

The Saints have done their best in free agency or trades on defense with proven commodity players. Darren Sharper, Jabari Greer, Jonathan Vilma and Curtis Lofton had built strong reputations with other clubs before coming to New Orleans.

These were not "potential" guys. They were proven veterans.

I would love to see the Saints make a run at Houston Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin or Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Paul Kruger, but you get the feeling that there will be quite a few suitors and some with much more money than the Saints to try and sign them.

But defensive players in this league are smart. Agents are concerned about the bottom line and so are the players, but they also want to be on a team with a quarterback that gives them a shot to win a world championship along with the opportunity to step right into a starting spot and that is the big advantage the Saints have over others when money is close.

The Saints have been creative in the past to get deals done with players in free agency, and Saints fans are hopeful that maybe the money management skills of the past will land them someone like Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed, former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, former LSU and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey or former Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham.

Other than trying to resign Bushrod, look for the Saints to go after more of the "rent" type players than the longterm "own" players in free agency.

The Saints need to rebuild quickly with veteran players on defense and then hit big on draft day on the same side of the ball. I expect the Saints will try and trade down in the first-round to secure more selections.

It's part of the big NFL puzzle, and in the next few weeks, these decisions will mold the future for the Saints. The future for the Saints is now.

BIGGER IS BETTER?

The final evaluations on college players in the 2013 NFL draft are getting pieced together, but it has become apparent just how significant the impact will be early in the first-round when it comes down to what positions always jump up the draft charts late each and every year — offensive and defensive linemen/pass rush outside linebackers.

When I covered the Saints under then-general manager Jim Finks in the 1980s, he would always tell me that big men would always climb up the charts as draft day gets closer because there is a higher rate of success on offensive and defensive linemen in the early rounds.

This year that statement made over 25 years old is true today.

Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel is still my top rated player and will stay that way, but he is closely followed by Oregon outside linebacker/defensive end Dion Jordan.

Now we all know that picking for specific "need spots" for teams will take over in some spots in that top-15 and that will maneuver some players around along the great need for quarterbacks could potentially push West Virginia's Geno Smith in that top-15, but it is clear to see just how much the Class of 2013 will be measured early on by the "big man" theory.

LSU PREPARING FOR SPRING

Spring football for LSU will start on March 14 and already the buzz is just how talented the 2013 version of the Tigers will be. LSU will be very young on the defensive line, but the Tigers have recruited extremely well and the difference-makers in the spring have to come through big, especially early on offensively if the Tigers want to again hit the double-digit win mark in 2013.

The Players to Watch for are:

Quarterback Zach Mettenberger — He showed moments of brilliance and moments of bewilderment last season. Mettenberger has the tools to emerge as a standout passer in the SEC, but it is up to new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to smooth out the rough spots in his passing techniques and his quick reads down the field. Most of all, Mettenberger needs to develop better pocket presence and foot movement. He looked like a statue at times sitting in the pocket in 2012.

Halfback Jeremy Hill — Les Miles loves to run the football and so does Cameron. Hill will be LSU's version of what Cameron had in Baltimore with Ray Rice as a heavy-duty runner, and he will be used more as a receiver.

Left Tackle La'el Collins — Collins has started at left guard, but he has the tools, foot speed and length to develop into a stellar blindside protector at left tackle for Mettenberger in 2013.

Defensive Tackle Anthony Johnson — This looks to be the breakout year for "The Freak." Johnson came in with as many credentials and awards as a prep defensive lineman as anyone ever at LSU, and he has flashed those big time skills at times.

But this season, I think Johnson will take over as the next dominant defensive tackle for LSU.

Outside Linebacker Lamin Barrow — Barrow was overshadowed last season by the play of Kevin Minter, but I really think he was the most improved player on the Tiger squad and he displayed strong leadership qualities.

I would play him inside in Minter's old spot, but wherever he plays this young man will be an impact player due to his speed, quick reaction skills and he has a nose for the football. By the end of the season, watch and see if he isn't being talked about as a first-round pick type player for the 2014 NFL draft.

Free Safeties Ronald Martin and Jerqwinick Sandolph — With Eric Reid off to the NFL, these two very athletic defenders will square off for Reid's vacant spot. Both are rangy, good ball-hawks and they will come up quickly to support against the run. This is a battle to watch for.

<p>NFL teams are gearing up quickly for the 2013 season. </p><p>The main reason why teams don't win championships or compete well during the season are because of decisions made in the spring via free agency, trades and the NFL draft.</p><p>New Orleans Saints fans everywhere are thrilled about the return of Sean Payton as head coach, but just because he walks back into the building does not mean all ills have been cured.</p><p>This New Orleans Saints team is talented on offense and are playoff contenders as long as quarterback Drew Brees is healthy.</p><p>Every year in the NFL is a rebuilding year, but for the Saints, it is a critical time because of Brees' age and the fact that this team needs to have a philosophy in free agency on defense that the future is now.</p><p>The first order of business has to be to get left tackle Jermon Bushrod signed to a long term deal. Both parties want a deal done and if past history tells you anything the Saints will make their best offer late in the process.</p><p>We saw that last year in resigning wide receiver Marques Colston late in the process and also trying in vain to cut a deal with offensive guard Carl Nicks in the final hours, but he decided to give free agency a swing and he hit a grand slam home run deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.</p><p>We all remember the drama involving Brees' contract ordeal last season, which was also completed late in the process.</p><p>I expect the Saints to do the same with Bushrod and it will just be a matter of getting those two sides to agree on some big money.</p><p>Money talks in the NFL and the Saints know that getting back to the playoffs means keeping Brees upright for 16 games and recharging a rushing attack that at times was almost silent.</p><p>Once they get the left tackle spot cleared, the Saints need to concentrate on upgrading every defensive position. </p><p>I like the decision to resign defensive end/outside linebacker Junior Galette to a three-year contract. I have always felt because of his athleticism, edge pass rush skills and instincts, Galette benefits more than anyone else on the Saints team to the 3-4 switch.</p><p>But the Saints are still in desperate need of a big time pass rusher at outside linebacker. They also have depth issues at defensive end behind Akiem Hicks and Cameron Jordan, at nose tackle behind Brodrick Bunkley, and they need more playmakers at cornerback and safety.</p><p>The Saints have done their best in free agency or trades on defense with proven commodity players. Darren Sharper, Jabari Greer, Jonathan Vilma and Curtis Lofton had built strong reputations with other clubs before coming to New Orleans.</p><p>These were not "potential" guys. They were proven veterans.</p><p>I would love to see the Saints make a run at Houston Texans outside linebacker Connor Barwin or Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Paul Kruger, but you get the feeling that there will be quite a few suitors and some with much more money than the Saints to try and sign them.</p><p>But defensive players in this league are smart. Agents are concerned about the bottom line and so are the players, but they also want to be on a team with a quarterback that gives them a shot to win a world championship along with the opportunity to step right into a starting spot and that is the big advantage the Saints have over others when money is close.</p><p>The Saints have been creative in the past to get deals done with players in free agency, and Saints fans are hopeful that maybe the money management skills of the past will land them someone like Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed, former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney, former LSU and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey or former Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham.</p><p>Other than trying to resign Bushrod, look for the Saints to go after more of the "rent" type players than the longterm "own" players in free agency.</p><p>The Saints need to rebuild quickly with veteran players on defense and then hit big on draft day on the same side of the ball. I expect the Saints will try and trade down in the first-round to secure more selections.</p><p>It's part of the big NFL puzzle, and in the next few weeks, these decisions will mold the future for the Saints. The future for the Saints is now.</p><p>BIGGER IS BETTER?</p><p>The final evaluations on college players in the 2013 NFL draft are getting pieced together, but it has become apparent just how significant the impact will be early in the first-round when it comes down to what positions always jump up the draft charts late each and every year — offensive and defensive linemen/pass rush outside linebackers.</p><p>When I covered the Saints under then-general manager Jim Finks in the 1980s, he would always tell me that big men would always climb up the charts as draft day gets closer because there is a higher rate of success on offensive and defensive linemen in the early rounds.</p><p>This year that statement made over 25 years old is true today.</p><p>Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel is still my top rated player and will stay that way, but he is closely followed by Oregon outside linebacker/defensive end Dion Jordan. </p><p>After those two performers, it becomes a steady flow of big men in my Top 15 with Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd, Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner, Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher, Alabama offensive guard Chance Warmack, LSU outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo, Brigham Young defensive end/outside linebacker Ezekiel Ansah, Utah defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, Georgia outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson, Tennessee wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, North Carolina offensive guard Jonathan Cooper, Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner and Missouri defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, which will fill out the rest of my top rated available players for the 2013 NFL draft.</p><p>Now we all know that picking for specific "need spots" for teams will take over in some spots in that top-15 and that will maneuver some players around along the great need for quarterbacks could potentially push West Virginia's Geno Smith in that top-15, but it is clear to see just how much the Class of 2013 will be measured early on by the "big man" theory.</p><p>LSU PREPARING FOR SPRING</p><p>Spring football for LSU will start on March 14 and already the buzz is just how talented the 2013 version of the Tigers will be. LSU will be very young on the defensive line, but the Tigers have recruited extremely well and the difference-makers in the spring have to come through big, especially early on offensively if the Tigers want to again hit the double-digit win mark in 2013.</p><p>The Players to Watch for are:</p><p>Quarterback Zach Mettenberger — He showed moments of brilliance and moments of bewilderment last season. Mettenberger has the tools to emerge as a standout passer in the SEC, but it is up to new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron to smooth out the rough spots in his passing techniques and his quick reads down the field. Most of all, Mettenberger needs to develop better pocket presence and foot movement. He looked like a statue at times sitting in the pocket in 2012.</p><p>Halfback Jeremy Hill — Les Miles loves to run the football and so does Cameron. Hill will be LSU's version of what Cameron had in Baltimore with Ray Rice as a heavy-duty runner, and he will be used more as a receiver.</p><p>Left Tackle La'el Collins — Collins has started at left guard, but he has the tools, foot speed and length to develop into a stellar blindside protector at left tackle for Mettenberger in 2013. </p><p>Defensive Tackle Anthony Johnson — This looks to be the breakout year for "The Freak." Johnson came in with as many credentials and awards as a prep defensive lineman as anyone ever at LSU, and he has flashed those big time skills at times.</p><p>But this season, I think Johnson will take over as the next dominant defensive tackle for LSU.</p><p>Outside Linebacker Lamin Barrow — Barrow was overshadowed last season by the play of Kevin Minter, but I really think he was the most improved player on the Tiger squad and he displayed strong leadership qualities. </p><p>I would play him inside in Minter's old spot, but wherever he plays this young man will be an impact player due to his speed, quick reaction skills and he has a nose for the football. By the end of the season, watch and see if he isn't being talked about as a first-round pick type player for the 2014 NFL draft.</p><p>Free Safeties Ronald Martin and Jerqwinick Sandolph — With Eric Reid off to the NFL, these two very athletic defenders will square off for Reid's vacant spot. Both are rangy, good ball-hawks and they will come up quickly to support against the run. This is a battle to watch for.</p><p>NFL analyst Mike Detillier is based in Raceland.</p>